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Climate tops Apec summit agenda Apec leaders reach climate deal
(about 4 hours later)
Australia's Prime Minister John Howard has placed climate change at the top of the agenda at a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders to open in Sydney on Saturday. Asia-Pacific leaders meeting in Sydney have reached an agreement on climate change, unveiling an "aspirational" goal to reduce greenhouse gases.
Mr Howard hopes the 21-member group - which includes the world's top polluters - will commit to firmer goals for combating climate change. China and the US are among the 21 nations that have signed the statement, which contains no firm commitments.
Global trade and regional security issues will also be discussed. Australian Prime Minister John Howard called it "a very important milestone" towards an international deal.
Meanwhile, two police officers have been injured and three protesters arrested on the fringes of the summit. It followed wrangling at the summit over the shape of a treaty to replace the landmark Kyoto Protocol of 1997.
Map of key summit locations Map of key summit locations
Sydney has seen the biggest security operation ever mounted by Australia ahead of the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum (Apec). "The world needs to slow, stop and then reverse the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions," said the statement by the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum (Apec).
Top polluters
China and other developing nations have demanded that global warming negotiations take place under United Nations auspices.
They say curbs on industry must be balanced with the challenge of lifting millions of people out of poverty.
The UN climate convention is scheduled to host talks in December at the Indonesian resort of Bali.
Apec's 21 members, which also include Russia and Japan, together pump out around 60% of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Global trade and regional security issues are also on the agenda at the forum, although climate change has led the talks.
Sydney has seen the biggest security operation ever mounted by Australia ahead of the meeting.
A 5km (three-mile) barrier has been erected across the central business district and more than 5,000 police and troops are patrolling the streets.A 5km (three-mile) barrier has been erected across the central business district and more than 5,000 police and troops are patrolling the streets.
UN auspices Two police officers have been injured and three protesters arrested on the fringes of the summit.
Apec leaders are mulling a statement on climate change that outlines a series "aspirational", or non-binding, goals to reduce energy intensity and green house gas emissions.
In pictures: Fortress SydneyIn pictures: Fortress Sydney
It was expected to be formally approved later on Saturday before the planned early departure of US President George W Bush.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said: "We've put a lot of emphasis on climate change being a centrepiece of this meeting and it's been embraced by all the delegations."
The draft being considered also states that climate change negotiations should take place under UN auspices, as demanded by China and other developing nations.
They say curbs on industry must be balanced with the challenge of lifting millions of people out of poverty.
The UN is scheduled to host talks in December in the Indonesian resort of Bali.
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